Controlled drug

How it is used

Shortened to CD in UK pharmacies, where CDs are kept in a locked CD cabinet and recorded in a CD register. In the US they are called controlled substances and are grouped into Schedules I to V. Pharmacists check the special prescription rules and keep exact stock records.

Example sentences

1. Morphine is a controlled drug, so the supply has to be entered in the register.

2. Two pharmacists checked the controlled drug stock at the end of the day.

Common collocations

• controlled drug register
• controlled drug cabinet
• controlled substance
• Schedule II drug

Related terms

• opioidA strong painkiller that acts on opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine or tramadol.
• dependenceA state in which the body has adapted to a drug, so that stopping it suddenly causes withdrawal symptoms; it can be physical, psychological or both.
• prescriptionA written or electronic order from a doctor or other authorised prescriber that tells the pharmacist which medicine to supply and how the patient should use it.
• over-the-counterDescribes a medicine that can be bought without a prescription, in a pharmacy or, for some products, in ordinary shops and supermarkets.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• controlled drug · Nursing

More terms: Regulation and Medication Safety

• generic drug
• brand name
• pharmacovigilance
• marketing authorisation
• bioequivalence
• GMP
• medication error
• formulary